Bayern Munich star Rafinha honoured in Brazilian hometown

Bayern Munich’s Brazilian defender Rafinha, fresh from winning the World Club Cup, picked up another honour on Tuesday when he was given the freedom of the city in his home town of Londrina.

The city hall bestowed the award on the 28-year-old, who has gone from strength to strength in recent weeks, winning praise from coach Pep Guardiola, who moved Philipp Lahm into midfield to accommodate the South American.

Rafinha, who started out in Brazil with Curitiba but then moved to Schalke in the Bundesliga, had generally been regarded as a squad player since his 2011 arrival following a Serie A stint with Genoa.

Rafinha has not as yet managed to force his way into the World Cup reckoning for Brazil but Bayern have just extended his contract to 2017.